Design methodology for production systems retrofit in SMEs

Optimal retrofit design for improving process flexibility in nonlinear systems

In this paper the problem of establishing the optimal trade-off between investment cost for the retrofit and expected revenue that result from increasing flexibility in systems described by nonlinear models is addressed. A systematic procedure is first proposed for constructing the cost versus flexibility curve. A stochastic optimization method is then presented for evaluating the expected opti...

Design Methodology for Survivable Systems

Stochastic optimization of flexibility in retrofit design of linear systems

In this paper the problem of obtaining the degree of flexibility that maximizes the total profit in an existing process flowsheet is addressed. Assuming a linear model for the process and given probability distribution functions for the uncertain parameters, the curve relating the expected revenue to the flexibility index is generated. An efficient stochastic optimization method is developed fo...

Production Systems Design – a Product Oriented Approach and Methodology

Production systems design is critical to achieving manufacturing performance and objectives. Although generic approaches to this design are available they may not be able to objectively address specific manufacturing configurations. Here it is argued that product oriented manufacturing (POM) organization offers advantages in relation to the function oriented one. Based on this, a methodology sp...

Retrofit Design for Gas Sweetening Processes

Gas sweetening using amines is an important gas treatment process. Existing gas sweetening units may be revamped to achieve a variety of aims, for example to expand processing capacity, to reduce operating costs, to accommodate a different feed, to reduce emissions levels, etc. Current practice for retrofit design is to use engineering judgement and experience and simulation studies to identify...